Percutaneous catheter nephrostomy drainage--results of 70 procedures.

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) was performed 70 times in 46 patients. In the majority of cases the procedure was carried out as an emergency to relieve urinary obstruction. 20 of the patients had subsequent elective surgery, in others PCN allowed time for other forms of treatment to become effective. The technique carries a low mortality and morbidity, can be performed using either fluoroscopic or ultrasound imaging and should be available in all radiology departments.